Network and Local Storage Options

There are a number of different storage options available, both network storage and local drives (physically located on your computer).

• What are my storage options?
• Why is it important to use network storage?
• What about network storage limitations?
• When is local storage preferred?
• How do I access network storage?
• How do I create a shortcut/alias for network storage?
  • Shortcut on Windows
  • Alias on Macintosh
• More network & Internet resources...

Storage Options at SLU Network Storage Drive letter... Seen as... Used for... N: drive apps on 'saint'(N:) apllications/software for classes P: drive yourusername on 'myslu'(P:) personal storage space Q:/R: drive warehouse on 'ourslu'(R:) university databases S: drive shared on 'ourslu'(S:) shared employee storage T: drive classes on 'ourslu'(T:) shared classes/teaching storage W: drive webshare on 'Samba Server'(web)'(W:) web site storage Local Storage Drive letter... Seen as... Used for... A: drive 3.5" floppy limited, unstable storage! C: drive Local disk main storage D: drive Devices with removable storage CD or DVD B:, E:-H: drives Various,depending on devices present USB flash storage, digital image storage, additional multimedia drive or archival storage capacity

Why is it important to use network storage?

• Network files are easily accessed on campus or remotely by VPN
• Network files are restricted to those with access rights
• Network storage accommodates larger file size
• Network files are backed up regularly
• Network storage is scanned regularly for viruses

What about network storage limitations?

• P drive, max. 1 GB
• S drive, max. 1 GB
• T drive, max. 1.5 GB/class
• W drive, please contact University Communications

If you need space accommodations for a large amount of academic data, please contact the IT HelpDesk, x5770, to discuss your options.

Do not use this space to install programs!

When is local storage (particularly CD or DVD media) preferred?

• Archival backup of personal files
  • Depending on file type, personal (P:) drive space may fill fairly quickly
  • Once full, you may discover difficulties in deleting or retrieving files!
    • Practice regular maintenance; archive personal files to maintain a comfortable buffer of free space
• Secondary backup of professional files
  • Professional papers, research data or other mission critical files should always be stored in more than one location
    • Maintain an up-to-date second copy on CD or DVD for immediate access in case of an emergency

How do I access networked storage?

• Windows platform:
  • Locate My Computer on the desktop
  • Right click and Explore
  • Click once on any network drive and subsequent folder(s) which appear
    • You have been granted rights to any folder that you are able to open
    • You may see folders to which you do not have rights
      • "Access is denied" message may appear
• Macintosh platform:

  Connecting to 'myslu' (P drive) from OS X

• Click on the Desktop to switch to the Finder
• Click on the Go menu
  • Select Connect to Server
• In the space next to Address
  • Type smb://myslu
  • Click the Connect button
• Enter your username and password
  • Click Connect
• Click OK at the next dialog box to mount the volume on the desktop
  • The icon will have the same name as your login ID
• It is easier to access myslu if you make an alias of the volume on the desktop
• Log out of the server by dragging the server icon to the trash
• Log back in by double-clicking the alias you created

Connecting to 'ourslu' (T and S drives) from OS X

• Click on the Desktop to switch to the Finder
• Click on the Go menu, and then select Connect to Server
• In the space next to Address
  • Type smb://ourslu
  • Click the Connect button
• Enter your username and password
  • Click Connect
• Select Classes for the T drive or Shared for the S drive from the pull-down menu
  • Click OK at the next dialog box to mount the volume on the desktop
  • The icon will be called Classes or Shared
  • Double-click the appropriate icon to find the folder you wish to access
• It is easier to access ourslu if you make an alias of the volume or a folder within that volume
• Log out of the server by dragging the volume icon to the trash
• Log back in by double-clicking the alias you created
  
• In either case (Windows or Mac), save to networked storage by browsing for and selecting the network folder within a "save to..." dialog box
• Contact the IT HelpDesk (x5770) regarding errors in rights/accessibility

How do I create a shortcut or alias to network storage?

Windows platform (shortcut):

• Right click in an empty area of your desktop
• Choose New... , then Shortcut
• Click Browse
• Open My Computer
• Choose the networked drive name from the pull down menu
• Choose the folder
• Click OK
• Click Next
• Type in the name you want for the shortcut
• Click Finish

Macintosh platform (alias):

• Simultaneously hold down both the option and command keys
  • The command key has an Apple icon
• Click and drag the icon of the volume or folder to the desktop while continuing to hold these keys
• An alias will be created when you release the mouse button
• The alias can be renamed or moved anywhere on your hard drive